Sen. Casey backs bill to repair bridges

Last summer Bob Casey was pushing for a Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill that would fund the repair the state’s many structurally-deficient bridges.

This year Pennsylvania’s senior senator is emphasizing earmarks that would increase rail safety and reduce the number of derailments.

“The accidents we’ve seen in Pennsylvania and across the country should serve as a wakeup call that new efforts are needed to enhance safety,” Casey said Thursday. “Safe and dependable rail travel is critical to our economy and the millions of Americans who live near rail lines. I’m calling on Congress to pass the THUD Appropriations bill that will improve safety procedures and work with industry to take appropriate action to prevent future derailments.”

The legislation was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee June 5 and a vote by the full Senate is expected soon.

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In a conference call with reporters, Casey said derailments in McKeesport, Vandergrift, and Philadelphia “raise very serious questions that need to be addressed to prevent future accidents.”

He said the $54 billion THUD bill would “bring a measure of safety and consistency to how we move any cargo” and fund the hiring of 20 new rail and hazardous materials inspectors and retention of 45 rail safety positions created last year.

The bill would also allot $3 million for the expansion of automatic track inspections on crude oil routes and funding for a web-based hazardous materials emergency response training curriculum for emergency responders located on or near rail lines that carry high-risk cargo.

Casey said the recent spate of derailments and disasters involving crude oil shipments has been due, in part, to a “lack of investment in basic infrastructure” and increased train traffic fueled by booming oil and natural gas production in North Dakota and elsewhere.

In a February letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, Casey said speed reductions, rerouting and safer cars might also be helpful in the prevention of future accidents.

“I believe it is crucial for the Department of Transportation to use all resources at its disposal to keep our communities safe by reducing the likelihood of similar accidents in the future,” Casey wrote.

About the Author

Tim Logue is a general assignment reporter for the Daily Times. Reach the author at tlogue@delcotimes.com
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